The European Commission has decided to give 16 developing countries duty-free access to the EU market for around 6400 tariff lines, under the European Union's special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance.  The preferences, called GSP+, are in addition to the standard Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) extended to developing countries. 

The Commission services have published a revised proposal on GSP rules of origin, with a view to introducing new rules on 1 January 2010 (as regards the rules for determining origin) and 1 January 2013 (as regards procedures). 

The European Commission made an important step forward in its efforts to ensure food safety in the European Union, as a regulation revising and simplifying the rules pertaining to pesticide residues entered into force. The new rules set harmonised Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for pesticides. They ensure food safety for all consumers and allow traders and importers to do business smoothly as confusion over dealing with 27 lists of national MRLs is eliminated.

Catherine Ashton has been confirmed on the 6^th October 2008 as the new European Commissioner for Trade. The appointment by the Council of Ministers follows the departure of Peter Mandelson to take up the position of Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in the United Kingdom.   Commissioner Ashton assumes the duties of Trade Commissioner as of today.  She will soon appear in front of the trade committee of the European Parliament.